Image processing apparatus, image processing method, image forming apparatus and recording medium

ABSTRACT

A search site on a network performs information search by a keyword. When a Web page is selected among those detected by the information search, the keyword, a text in the selected Web page and the Web page&#39;s address are interconnected and recorded as one search record in a recording device. And then, it is judged whether or not there exist in one or more then one document, any words that match any keywords included in the search records recorded in the recording device. If there exists a word that matches a keyword, the display data to display the document with just a part of the text as least and/or the Web page&#39;s address included in the same search record as the keyword, is created, and a job is executed using the display data.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2009-152565 filed on Jun. 26, 2009, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as aMFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that is a copier, a printer or amultifunctional digital machine collectively having the copy function,the print function, the scan function and other functions; an imageprocessing method implemented by the image processing apparatus; animage forming apparatus; and a computer readable recording medium havinga program recorded therein to make a computer execute processing.

2. Description of the Related Art

The following description sets forth the inventor's knowledge of relatedart and problems therein and should not be construed as an admission ofknowledge in the prior art.

There exist some image processing apparatuses such as MFPs like thatdescribed above, having a Web browser that is software to view Web pageson the Internet, and such image processing apparatuses are configured toallow users to access a search site on a network using the Web browserand search information by a keyword.

For example, when a user views a document recorded in such an imageprocessing apparatus and finds an unclear word in the document, the usercan search the meaning of the word using a search site on a network,using the Web browser.

In many cases, users tend to easily forget the meaning of a word eventhough they have previously searched and learnt it. Thus, everytime auser finds an unclear word in a document, he/she practically has tosearch the meaning of the word by transmitting a keyword to a searchsite, even if he/she has previously searched and learnt it, which makesuser operation troublesome and inefficient.

As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Laid-open Patent Publication No.2007-102767, there exists an information processing apparatus that iscapable of suggesting referential documents helpful for understandingthe currently viewed document. While a user is viewing a document, theinformation processing apparatus records as one record of contextmetadata, a connection between the currently viewed document andreferential documents and a connection between a keyword used forinformation search and the referential documents that the user haspreviously viewed among those detected by the keyword. And then, whenthe user views this document again, the image processing apparatusfacilitates this user's understanding the document, by analyzing therecord of context metadata and providing a list of the documents thatthe user have previously viewed.

Meanwhile, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Laid-open PatentPublication No. 2007-102767, there exists an information processingapparatus that provides a list of available documents about onedocument, but does not facilitate a user's knowing the meaning of a wordin a document having been previously viewed. And this image processingapparatus provides a different list of available documents about adifferent document. And thus, this technology cannot resolve theconventionally existing inconvenience described above, that everytime auser finds an unclear word in a document, he/she has to search themeaning of the word using a search site, even if he/she has previouslysearched and learned the meaning.

The description herein of advantages and disadvantages of variousfeatures, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed in otherpublications is in no way intended to limit the present invention.Indeed, certain features of the invention may be capable of overcomingcertain disadvantages, while still retaining some or all of thefeatures, embodiments, methods, and apparatus disclosed therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been developedin view of the above-mentioned and/or other problems in the related art.The Preferred embodiments of the present invention can significantlyimprove upon existing methods and/or apparatuses.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processingapparatus that facilitates a user's knowing the meaning of a word in adocument even without performing information search using a search site,only if the user has previously searched the meaning.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processingmethod that facilitates a user's knowing the meaning of a word in adocument even without performing information search using a search site,only if the user has previously searched the meaning.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image formingapparatus that facilitates a user's knowing the meaning of a word in adocument even without performing information search using a search site,only if the user has previously searched the meaning.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer readablerecording medium having an image processing program recorded therein tomake a computer of an image processing apparatus implement an imageprocessing method that facilitates a user's knowing the meaning of aword in a document even without searching via a search site, if the userhas previously searched.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an imageprocessing apparatus includes:

-   -   a transmitter that transmits a keyword for information search to        a search site on a network, using a Web browser;    -   a search record memory that records in itself, the keyword, a        text specified among those in the Web pages detected by the        search site, and the address of the Web page having the        specified text, with a connection to each other, as one search        record;    -   a word detection judger that judges whether or not there exists        in one or more than one document to be processed according to a        job, a word that matches a keyword included in the search        records recorded in the search record memory;    -   a display data creator that creates the display data to display        the document with just a part of the text at least and/or the        Web page's address included in the same search record as the        keyword, if the word detection judger judges that there exists        in the document, a word that matches the keyword; and    -   a job executor that executes the job using the display data        created by the display data creator.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an imageprocessing method includes:

-   -   transmitting a keyword for information search to a search site        on a network, using a Web browser;    -   recording in a search record memory, the keyword, a text        specified among those in the Web pages detected by the search        site, and the address of the Web page having the specified text,        with a connection to each other, as one search record;    -   judging whether or not there exists in one or more than one        document to be processed according to a job, a word that matches        a keyword included in the search records recorded in the search        record memory;    -   creating the display data to display the document with just a        part of the text and/or the Web page's address included in the        same record as the keyword, if it is judged that there exists in        the document, a word that matches the keyword; and    -   executing the job using the created display data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an image formingapparatus includes:

-   -   a transmitter that transmits a keyword for information search to        a search site on a network, using a Web browser;    -   a search record memory that records in itself, the keyword, a        text specified among those in the Web pages detected by the        search site, with a connection to each other, as one search        record;    -   a word detection judger that judges whether or not there exists        in one or more than one document to be processed according to a        job, a word that matches a keyword included in the search        records recorded in the search record memory;    -   a display data creator that creates the display data to display        the document with just a part of the text at least and/or the        Web page's address, if the word detection judger judges that        there exists in the document a word that matches the keyword; a        job executor that executes a job, using the display data created        by the display data creator; and    -   a scanner that reads an image on a paper document, and        wherein:    -   the word detection judger judges whether or not there exists in        a document that is image data obtained by the scanner from the        paper document, a word that matches a keyword included in the        search records.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computerreadable recording medium has an image processing program recordedtherein to make a computer of an image processing apparatus execute:

-   -   transmitting a keyword for information search to a search site        on a network, using a Web browser;    -   recording in a search record memory, the keyword, a text        specified among those in the Web pages detected by the search        site, and the address of the Web page having the specified text,        with a connection to each other, as one search record;    -   judging whether or not there exists in one or more than one        document to be processed according to a job, a word that matches        a keyword included in the search records recorded in the search        record memory;    -   creating the display data to display the document with just a        part of the text and/or the Web page's address included in the        same record as the keyword, if it is judged that there exists in        the document, a word that matches the keyword; and    -   executing the job using the created display data.

The above and/or other aspects, features and/or advantages of variousembodiments will be further appreciated in view of the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying figures. Variousembodiments can include and/or exclude different aspects, featuresand/or advantages where applicable. In addition, various embodiments cancombine one or more aspect or feature of other embodiments whereapplicable. The descriptions of aspects, features and/or advantages ofparticular embodiments should not be construed as limiting otherembodiments or the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way ofexample, and not limitation, in the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration of a network system in which animage processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the presentinvention is employed;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of theMFP 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart representing a procedure executed in the imageprocessing apparatus to access a Web search site and search informationby a keyword;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart representing a procedure executed in the imageprocessing apparatus when a user performs information search by akeyword, operating the image processing apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a selected Web page displayed in a screen on adisplay of an operation panel, which is received from a Website, so thata user could select to record in a search record;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a search record recorded in arecording medium;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a document displayed in a screen with themeanings of words therein, based on the search records recorded in theimage processing apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart representing a procedure executed in the imageprocessing apparatus when the user gives an instruction to execute a jobto the image processing apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a setting screen for a user or another personto set a keyword by which the meaning of a word in a document issearched, and a condition about a word for document word detection;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart representing a procedure executed in the imageprocessing apparatus in another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart representing a procedure executed in the imageprocessing apparatus in yet another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following paragraphs, some preferred embodiments of the inventionwill be described by way of example and not limitation. It should beunderstood based on this disclosure that various other modifications canbe made by those in the art based on these illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration of a network system in which animage processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the presentinvention is employed.

In this image processing system of FIG. 1, a plurality of imageprocessing apparatuses 1, and a plurality of terminal apparatuses 2serving as external devices that are personal computers, are connectedto a plurality of Web search sites 5, via a LAN (Local Area Network) 3employing Ethernet (registered trademark) and the Internet 4.

In this embodiment, a MFP that is a multifunctional digital imageforming apparatus like that described above, is employed as the imageprocessing apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the image processing apparatus 1also will be referred to as “MFP 1”.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of theMFP 1.

The MFP 1 includes a system controller 11, a scanner 12, an inputtedimage processor 13, a memory 14, an outputted image processor 15, aprinter engine 16, a network interface 17, a recording medium 18, anoperation panel 19 and etc.

The system controller 11 includes a CPU 111. The CPU 111 centrallycontrols the entire MFP 1 by executing processing according to anoperation program recorded in the recording medium 18 and anothermemory, and the CPU 111 is connected to each of the components of theMFP 1. Also in this embodiment, the system controller 11 further makesthe MFP 1 work as a Web server for the terminal apparatus 2.

The scanner 12 reads a document placed on a document table (not shown inFigure) and outputs image data obtained therefrom, which is electronicdata.

The inputted image processor 13 performs processing in a predeterminedmanner on the image data received from the scanner 12. The memory 14records in itself the image data received from the scanner 12. Theoutputted image processor 15 creates print data based on the image dataprocessed by the inputted image processor 13.

The printer engine 16 prints out the image data read out from a documentby the scanner 12, the print data received from the terminal apparatus2, and other data.

The network interface 17 functions as a communicator that exchanges datawith the terminal apparatus 2 and the search site 5, via the LAN 3 andthe Internet 4.

The recording medium 18 is a recording medium such as a hard disk drive,and records in itself an operation program for the CPU 111, variousapplication software and various data. Also in this embodiment, therecording medium 18 further records a Web browser that is Web pageviewer software so that users could access Web pages on the Internet viathe network interface 17, using this Web browser.

Furthermore, the recording medium 18 has one or more then one memoryarea, and one or more than one document to be processed according to ajob is recorded in each memory area before execution of the job. SomeBoxes are private Boxes that are individually provided for users, someBoxes are group Boxes that are individually owned by groups, and someBoxes are public Boxes that do not limit accesses from any users.

The operation panel 19 includes a display 191 that is a liquid crystaldisplay that displays on itself an operating state of the MFP 1, a modesetting screen, a message, a Web page on the Internet and otherinformation, and a key entry portion 192 having a numeric key pad, astart key, a stop key and other keys.

The MFP 1 has the function of holding and administering workflows. Aworkflow is composed of a series of processes to be cooperativelyexecuted by a plurality of devices connected to the network 3, which arespecified in advance. Workflows are recorded in the recording medium 18so that they could be reused later.

Hereinafter, a procedure executed in the MFP 1 employed in the imageprocessing system of FIG. 1, will be explained.

Initially, the procedure to access a Web search site and performinformation search by a keyword, executed in the MFP 1, will beexplained with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 3. In thisexample, the MFP 1 serves as a Web server to perform information search,and a user who owns the terminal apparatus 2 gives to the MFP 1, aninstruction to transmit a keyword, by operating the terminal apparatus2.

The procedure of the MFP 1 is executed by the CPU 111 of the systemcontroller 11, according to an operation program recorded in therecording medium 18 or another memory.

Initially, the terminal apparatus 2 recognizes the MFP 1 as a Web serverand transmits thereto a request to perform information search by akeyword using a Web search site 5 (Step S01).

The MFP 1 transfers to the Web search site 5, the keyword by whichinformation search is requested by the terminal apparatus 2 and recordsthe keyword in itself (Step S11).

The Web search site 5 performs information search by the keyword (StepS21) and returns a search result to the MFP 1 (Step S22).

The MFP 1 transfers to the terminal apparatus 2, the search resultreceived from the Web search site 5 (Step S12).

The terminal apparatus 2 displays on itself a list of the detected Webpages based on the search result (Step S02). The user who owns theterminal apparatus 2 selects a preferable Web page from the list, andthe terminal apparatus 2 transmits to the MFP 1 a request to display theselected Web page (hereinafter also will be referred to as “selected Webpage”) (Step S03).

The MFP 1 transfers to the Web site, the request received from theterminal apparatus 2 and records in itself a URL (Uniform ResourceLocator) that is the address of the selected Web page (Step S13).

In response to the request to display the selected Web page, receivedfrom the MFP 1, the Web site returns the selected Web page to the MFP 1(Step S23).

The MFP 1 transfers to the terminal apparatus 2 the selected Web pagereceived from the Web site, and reads out a text from a specified areaof the selected Web page and records the text in itself (Step S14). Andthe “keyword”, “text” and “URL” recorded therein are connected together,and recorded in the recording medium 18 as one search record (Step S15).The area of the selected Web page may be specified by the predeterminednumber of lines existing from the top of Web page or the predeterminednumber of characters existing from the top of the Web page.

The terminal apparatus 2 displays on itself the selected Web pagereceived from the MFP 1 (Step S04).

In this example shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 1 serves as a Web server, andperforms information search in response to a search request from theterminal apparatus 2. Alternatively, a user may give to the MFP 1, aninstruction to perform information search by a keyword and specify anarea of a document to record in a search record, by directly operatingthe MFP 1.

A procedure executed when a user gives an instruction to performinformation search by a keyword, by operating the MFP 1, will beexplained with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 4. This procedureis executed by the CPU 111 of the system controller 11, according to anoperation program recorded in the recording medium 18 or another memory.

Initially, the MFP 1 transmits to the Web search site 5, a keyword forinformation search, entered by the user, and records the keyword initself (Step S41).

The Web search site 5 performs information search by the keyword (StepS51) and returns a search result to the MFP 1 (Step S52).

The MFP 1 displays on the display 191, a list of the detected Web pagesbased on the search result (step S42). The user selects a preferable Webpage from the list, and the MFP 1 transmits to the Web site, a requestto display the selected Web page and records in itself the URL of theselected Web page (Step S43).

In response to the request to display the selected Web page, receivedfrom the MFP 1, the Web site returns the selected Web page to the MFP 1(Step S53).

And as shown in FIG. 5, the MFP 1 displays on the display 191: theselected Web page received from the Web site; a message 191 a thatrequests the user to select a text to record in a search record (StepS45); and a “record in a search record” button 191 b (Step S46).

The user drags a text and presses the “record in a search record” button191 b, then the dragged text is recorded (Step S47). And also, thekeyword used for information search, the dragged text and the URL areconnected together and recorded as one search record (Step S48). In FIG.5, the dragged text is marked with shading.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of the search records recorded inthe recording medium 18. In this example, one search record includes a“keyword”, “text” and “URL” as described above, and also a search dateand a search time. In FIG. 6, the search record of No. 1 was recordedwhen the user dragged a text to record, via the screen shown in FIG. 5,and the record includes the following information:

Keyword Used for Information Search: PCI Express,

-   -   Recorded Text: “the connection between the chipsets . . . is        known under the name . . . ”; and    -   Recorded URL: http://www.sophia-it.com/content/PCI+Express.

As shown in FIG. 6, the search record of No. 14 and the search record ofNo. 23 include a text within the predetermined number of lines existingfrom the top of the Web page or within the predetermined number ofcharacters existing from the top of the Web page.

Each of the search records may be recorded with a connection to the userwho created the record, or may be recorded without such a connection.Alternatively, as to be described later, each of the search recordsrecorded therein may be used only by the user who created the record ormay be used by all users without limitation of users, or alternatively,whether only by the user who created the record or by all users may beselected.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a screen in which a document or etc. recordedin the MFP 1, is displayed with the meanings of words in the document,based on the search records recorded in the MFP 1.

A user opens a document by operating the MFP 1, and if there exist inthe document, any words that match keywords in the search records, theMFP 1 displays the matching words highlighted with underlines or etc.and further displays in balloons, the texts that indicate the meaningsof the keywords, recorded in the search records in the recording medium18 with a connection to the keywords, as shown in FIG. 7.

These operations are performed using display data created by the MFP 1.For example, if a document to be processed according to a job is asearchable PDF (Portable Document Format) file, the MFP 1 creates alayer (hereinafter also will be referred to as “meaning layer”) thatcarries underlines, texts in balloons and etc., and further creates thedisplay data to display the document with underlines, texts in balloonsand etc., by merging this meaning layer to the document.

In stead of texts, the MFP 1 may display linked locations that are theaddresses in the search records.

Alternatively, the MFP 1 may create the display data to display thewords that matches the keywords, with linked locations that are theaddresses in the search records.

The MFP 1 may create the display data to display the matching wordshighlighted, and make a text or address included in the same searchrecord as a pressed word, displayed when a user selects the word by acursor or etc.

The MFP 1 may create the display data to display list keys 191 crepresenting the matching words as shown in FIG. 7, and make a text oraddress included in the same search record as a pressed list key 191 c,displayed when a user presses the key.

In this embodiment, a display key 191 d and a hide key 191 e aredisplayed. When a user presses the display button 191 d, the documentdisplay mode is employed as shown in FIG. 7, and thus the document isdisplayed with the texts or addresses included in the same searchrecords as the matching words. Meanwhile, when a user presses the hidebutton 191 e, the document hide mode is employed, and thus the documentis displayed without the texts or addresses included in the searchrecords.

Hereinafter, a procedure executed in the MFP 1 when a user gives to theMFP 1 an instruction to execute a job, will be explained with referenceto a flowchart shown in FIG. 8. This procedure is executed by the CPU111 of the system controller 11, according to an operation programrecorded in the recording medium 18 or another memory.

In Step S61, it is judged whether or not an instruction to execute a jobis given. A user may give this instruction by directly operating the MFP1 or by remotely operating the MFP 1 from the terminal apparatus 2. Ifno such instruction is given (NO in Step S61), then it is judged in StepS62, whether or not there exists any document that is a searchable PDFfile including no meaning layer to be merged and displayed with thedocument, in a Box that is a memory area of the recording medium 18.

If no such document exists (NO in Step S62), the routine immediatelyterminates without proceeding anymore. If such a document exists (YES inStep S62), then it is judged in Step S63, whether or not there exist anysearch records in the recording medium 18.

If no search record exists (NO in Step S63), the routine immediatelyterminates. If any search records exist (YES in Step S63), then in StepS64, it is judged whether or not any words in the document match anykeywords included in the existing search records, and a meaning layer iscreated and recorded with a connection to the document.

In Step S61, if an instruction to execute a job is given (YES in StepS61), then it is judged in Step S65, whether or not the document to beprocessed according to the job is a searchable PDF file, oralternatively, it is judged in Step S65, whether or not the job is toconvert the document to a searchable PDF file (for example, the job isto convert to a searchable PDF file, the document that is image dataread out from a document by the scanner 12).

If the document to be processed according to the job is not a searchablePDF file, or alternatively, the job is not to convert the document to asearchable PDF file (NO in Step S65), the routine proceeds to Step S72,in which the job is executed in an ordinary manner.

If the document to be processed according to the job is a searchable PDFfile, or alternatively, the job is to convert the document to asearchable PDF file (YES in Step S65), then it is judged in Step S66,whether or not there exist any search records in the recording medium18.

If no search record exists (NO in Step S66), the job is executed in anordinary manner in Step S72. If any search records exist (YES in StepS66), then it is judged in Step S67, whether or not the document to beprocessed according to the job includes a meaning layer. If the documentincludes a meaning layer (YES in Step S67), the routine proceeds to StepS71, in which the job is executed.

If the document does not include a meaning layer (NO in Step S67), thenit is judged in Step S68, whether or not the job has large timerestriction.

In this embodiment, whether small or large time restriction is set inadvance depending on the job type. Meanwhile, no time restriction is setto the following jobs:

-   -   A job to preview a document in a Box;    -   A job to transmit a document in a Box to the user's terminal        apparatus 2; and    -   A job to view or download a document in a Box remotely from the        user's terminal apparatus 2.        Small time restriction is set in advance to the following jobs,        in other words, a few seconds or even a few dozen seconds would        not be very stressful to complete execution of the following        jobs:    -   A job to transmit a document scanned by the scanner 12 to the        user's terminal apparatus 2; and    -   A job to transmit a document to another user via the MFP 1.        Large time restriction is set in advance to the following job,        in other words, even a few seconds would be stressful to        complete execution of the following job:    -   A job to preview a document scanned by the scanner 12.

In Step S68, if the job has small or no time restriction (NO in StepS68), then in Step S69, it is judged whether or not any words in thedocument match any keywords included in the existing search records, anda meaning layer is created. And then, the document and the meaning layerare merged into display data and the display data is outputted, in StepS71. In other words, if the job is to preview a document on the display191 of the operation panel 19 of the MFP 1, the display data isoutputted on the display 191. If the job is to transmit a document tothe terminal apparatus 2, the display data is transmitted to theterminal apparatus 2.

If the job has large time restriction (YES in Step S68), then in StepS70, it is judged whether or not any words in the document match onlysome of the keywords included in the existing search records and ameaning layer is created. And then, the document and the meaning layerare merged into display data and the display data is outputted, in StepS71.

In this embodiment, users or other persons can set in advance,conditions about a keyword for document word detection and a word.

As shown in FIG. 9, users enter conditions via a setting screendisplayed on the display 191 of the MFP 1.

Users can enter a temporal condition and a numeric condition about akeyword for document word detection, via the setting screen shown inFIG. 9. Whether “the latest record(s)” or “the oldest record(s)” may beset as a temporal condition, or a period of time may be set as atemporal condition. And the frequency of use may be set as a conditionabout a word for document word detection. In the example of FIG. 9, itis judged there exist among the words having been used more than twicein a document, any words that match any keywords included in the latestten search records.

By pressing a set button in FIG. 9, the entered conditions aredetermined. By pressing a cancel button, the entered conditions arecanceled.

As described above, users can set conditions about a keyword fordocument word detection and a word. Thus, their intention can bereflected to document word detection.

In an embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a user who gives an instruction toexecute a job on a document or a user who operates the terminalapparatus 2 that received a document, views the document that isdisplayed with texts or etc. that indicate the meanings of predeterminedwords in the document. This is effective and convenient for the usersince the user can easily know the meanings of the words even withoutperforming information search using a search site on a network.Furthermore, any documents can be displayed with texts or etc. thatindicate the meanings of words, not depending on the document type. Thatwould eliminate the inconveniences that a different type of documentcannot be displayed with texts or etc. that indicate the meanings ofwords.

In this embodiment of FIG. 8, a document is displayed with texts thatindicate the meanings of words or addresses of the Web pages where thetexts exist, if the document is a searchable PDF file. However, theformat or style of a document to be displayed with texts or addresses isnot limited to the searchable PDF. And meanwhile, the image processingapparatus may be configured to detect words only from the documentsrecorded in a predetermined Box or folder and display the documents withtexts or etc. that indicate the meanings of the detected words.

The FIG. 10 relates to another embodiment of the present invention,showing a flowchart representing a procedure executed in the MFP 1.

In this embodiment, the image processing system is configured to switchbetween the display styles to display texts or etc. that indicate themeanings of words, based on the size of a margin in a document. Thisprocedure is also executed by the CPU 111 of the system controller 11,according to an operation program recorded in the recording medium 18 oranother memory.

In Step S81, a margin in a document, which is in the vicinity of a wordthat matches a keyword, is recognized. Then it is judged in Step S82,whether or not the margin is sufficient to display in a bubble, a wholetext that indicates the meaning of the word. If it is sufficient (YES inStep S82), a whole text that indicates the meaning thereof is displayedin a bubble in the vicinity of the matching word, in Step S83. If themargin is not sufficient (NO in Step S82), the routine proceeds to StepS84.

In Step S84, it is judged whether or not the margin is sufficient todisplay the first line of the text in a bubble. If the margin issufficient (YES in Step S84), the first line of the text is displayed ina bubble in the vicinity of the matching word, in Step S85. When thebubble is touched or a cursor is moved to the bubble, the whole text isdisplayed in the bubble in Step S86.

In Step S84, if the margin is not sufficient to display the first lineof the text in a bubble (NO in Step S84), the matching word is displayedin a different font, for example in a different color, in Step S87.After that, when the matching word is touched or a cursor is moved tothe matching word, the whole text is displayed in a bubble in Step S88.

As described above, display data suitable for a margin in a document iscreated, in other words, the display data to display a document in amore understandable style for users, is created based on the size of amargin in a document.

FIG. 11 relates to yet another embodiment of the present invention,showing a flowchart representing a procedure executed in the MFP 1.

In this embodiment, it is judged whether or not a job should be executedon a document, using display data created by the MFP 1, based on the jobtype. And if it is judged that a job should be executed, the job isexecuted using the display data.

For example, this embodiment can be applied to the case where a userwould like to display a material document recorded in a Box of the MFP 1both on a projector and the user's terminal apparatus 2 by communicatingvia a network, for making a presentation. In this embodiment, theprojector and the terminal apparatus 2 display the document bysynchronization, specifically the projector displays only the documentwithout texts or etc. that indicate the meanings of words, meanwhile theterminal apparatus 2 displays the document with texts or etc. thatindicate the meanings of words.

This embodiment also can be applied to the case where a user would liketo transmit a document that is image data obtained by the scanner 12, toa plurality of addresses including this user's address. In thisembodiment, only the document is transmitted to the addresses excludingthis user's address, meanwhile the display data to display the documentwith texts that indicate the meanings of words, is transmitted to thisuser's address.

In this case, if the addresses include this user's address, the MFP 1transmits the display data only to this user's address, which isconfigured in advance. It is judged whether or not the addresses includethis user's address, based on information of the user identified by userauthentication when the user logged in the MFP 1, each user's addressinformation recorded in advance in the recording medium 18, and addressinformation entered by the user.

The procedure of FIG. 11 is also executed by the CPU 111 of the systemcontroller 11, according to an operation program recorded in therecording medium 18.

In Step S91, it is judged whether or not an instruction to execute a jobis given. A user may give this instruction by directly operating the MFP1 or by remotely operating the MFP 1 from the terminal apparatus 2. Ifno such instruction is given (NO in Step S91), the routine immediatelyterminates.

If such an instruction is given (YES in Step S91), then it is judged inStep S92, whether or not there exist any search records in the recordingmedium 18.

If no search record exists (NO in Step S92), the job is executed in anordinary manner in Step S96. If any search records exist (YES in StepS92), then it is judged in Step S93, whether or not the user is includedin the job-related users.

If the user is not included in the job-related users (NO in Step S93),the routine proceeds to Step S96, in which the job is executed in anordinary manner, since it is necessary to transmit only a document. Ifthe user is included in the job-related users (YES in Step S93), thedisplay data to display the document with embedded texts or etc. thatindicate the meanings of words, is created and transmitted to thisuser's address, in Step S94. After that, the document is transmitted tothe addresses other than this user's address, in an ordinary manner.

Each of these described above is one embodiment of the presentinvention, but the present invention is not limited to theseembodiments. For example, in these embodiments, a MFP that is amultifunctional image forming apparatus is employed as the imageprocessing apparatus. However, the present invention may be applied toan image forming apparatus that is a simple copier or printer.

While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, anumber of illustrative embodiments are described herein with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered asproviding examples of the principles of the invention and such examplesare not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodimentsdescribed herein and/or illustrated herein.

While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been describedherein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferredembodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodimentshaving equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g.of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterationsas would be appreciated by those in the art based on the presentdisclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadlybased on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examplesdescribed in the present specification or during the prosecution of theapplication, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. Forexample, in the present disclosure, the term “preferably” isnon-exclusive and means “preferably, but not limited to”. In thisdisclosure and during the prosecution of this application,means-plus-function or step-plus-function limitations will only beemployed where for a specific claim limitation all of the followingconditions are present In that limitation: a) “means for” or “step for”is expressly recited; b) a corresponding function is expressly recited;and c) structure, material or acts that support that structure are notrecited. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of thisapplication, the terminology “present invention” or “invention” may beused as a reference to one or more aspect within the present disclosure.The language present invention or invention should not be improperlyinterpreted as an identification of criticality, should not beimproperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments(i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a numberof aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted aslimiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure andduring the prosecution of this application, the terminology “embodiment”can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, anycombination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples,various embodiments may include overlapping features. In this disclosureand during the prosecution of this case, the following abbreviatedterminology may be employed: “e.g.” which means “for example”, and “NB”which means “note well”.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: atransmitter that transmits a keyword for an information search to asearch site on a network, using a Web browser; a search record memorydevice that records in itself, the keyword, a text providing a meaningof the keyword selected from at least one Web page detected by thesearch site, and an address of the Web page having the text, with aconnection to each other, as one search record; a word detection judgerthat judges whether there exists, in a document to be processedaccording to a job, a word that matches the keyword included in thesearch records recorded in the search record memory device by comparingwords included in the document to be processed with keywords included inthe search records recorded in the search record memory device; adisplay data creator that creates display data to display the documentoverlapped with at least a portion of the text included in the samesearch record as the keyword and/or the address of the Web page includedin the same search record as the keyword, when the word detection judgerjudges that there exists in the document, a word that matches thekeyword; and a job executor that executes the job using the display datacreated by the display data creator.
 2. The image processing apparatusrecited in claim 1, further comprising: a text range specifier thatspecifies the text among those in the Web pages included in the searchrecords recorded in the search record memory device.
 3. The imageprocessing apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein: the text rangespecifier specifies the text by a drag operation of a user, by thepredetermined number of lines existing from a top of the document, or bythe predetermined number of characters existing from the top of thedocument.
 4. The image processing apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein:the transmission of the keyword for information search to the searchsite by the transmitter is performed according to an instruction from anexternal device using the image processing apparatus as a Web server. 5.The image processing apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein: the worddetection judger decides whether or not to perform the judgmentoperation or changes the judgment operation, depending on a condition toexecute a job on the document.
 6. The image processing apparatus recitedin claim 5, wherein: the word detection judger decides to perform thejudgment operation, if it is a job to convert the document into asearchable PDF or it is a job to process the document that is asearchable PDF file.
 7. The image processing apparatus recited in claim5, wherein: the word detection judger judges whether or not there existsin the document, a word that matches any keyword, by comparing the wordto each of the keywords included in the search records, if the job hassmall or no time restriction, meanwhile the word detection judger judgeswhether or not there exists in the document, a word that matches anykeyword, by comparing the word to each keyword that is selected amongthose included in the search records, if the job has large timerestriction.
 8. The image processing apparatus recited in claim 1,further comprising: a document memory, and wherein: if the document tobe processed according to a job is recorded in advance in the documentmemory, the word detection judger judges whether or not there exists ineach document recorded in the document memory, a word that matches anykeyword, by comparing the word to each of the keywords included in thesearch records.
 9. The image processing apparatus recited in claim 1,wherein: the display data creator creates: the data having a word thatmatches the keyword, with an embedded linked location that is an addressincluded in the search record; the data to merge a layer showing a textor address included in the search record to a document and selectivelydisplay or hide the text or address in a bubble coming up from thematching word; the data to decorate the matching word and display a textor address included in the search record when the decorated word isselected; or the data to display words that matches the keyword in alist and display in a window a text or address related to a word fromthe search record when the word is selected among the list, as displaydata.
 10. The image processing apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein:the display data creator creates suitable display data for a margin inthe document.
 11. The image processing apparatus recited in claim 1,further comprising: a judger judges whether or not the job executorshould execute the job using the display data created by the displaydata creator, depending on the type of the job.
 12. An image formingapparatus comprising: a transmitter that transmits a keyword forinformation search to a search site on a network, using a Web browser; asearch record memory device that records in itself, the keyword, a textproviding a meaning of the keyword selected from at least one Web pagedetected by the search site, with a connection to each other, as onesearch record; a word detection judger that judges whether there exists,in a document to be processed according to a job, a word that matchesthe keyword included in the search records recorded in the search recordmemory device by comparing words included in the document to beprocessed with keywords included in the search records recorded in thesearch record memory device; a display data creator that creates displaydata to display the document overlapped with at least a portion of thetext included in the same record as the keyword, when the word detectionjudger judges that there exists in the document a word that matches thekeyword; a job executor that executes a job, using the display datacreated by the display data creator; and a scanner that reads an imageon a paper document, and wherein: the word detection judger judgeswhether or not there exists in a document that is image data obtained bythe scanner from the paper document, a word that matches a keywordincluded in the search records.
 13. An image processing methodimplemented by an image processing apparatus comprising: transmitting akeyword for information search to a search site on a network, using aWeb browser; recording in a search record memory, the keyword, a textproviding a meaning of the keyword selected from at least one Web pagedetected by the search site, and an address of the Web page having thetext, with a connection to each other, as one search record; judgingwhether there exists, in a document to be processed according to a job,a word that matches the keyword included in the search records recordedin the search record memory by comparing words included in the documentto be processed with keywords included in the search records recorded inthe search record memory device; creating display data to display thedocument overlapped with at least a portion of the text included in thesame search record as the keyword and/or the address of the Web pageincluded in the same record as the keyword, when it is judged that thereexists in the document, a word that matches the keyword; and executingthe job using the created display data.
 14. A computer readablerecording medium having an image processing program recorded therein tomake a computer of an image processing apparatus execute: transmitting akeyword for information search to a search site on a network, using aWeb browser; recording in a search record memory, the keyword, a textproviding a meaning of the keyword selected from at least one Web pagedetected by the search site, and an address of the Web page having thetext, with a connection to each other, as one search record; judgingwhether there exists, in a document to be processed according to a job,a word that matches the keyword included in the search records recordedin the search record memory by comparing words included in the documentto be processed with keywords included in the search records recorded inthe search record memory device; creating display data to display thedocument overlapped with at least a portion of the text included in thesame search record as the keyword and/or the address of the Web pageincluded in the same record as the keyword, when it is judged that thereexists in the document, a word that matches the keyword; and executingthe job using the created display data.